Solid handicraft has been a tradition at Wanzl from the outset. This erstwhile craftsman's workshop has long since become a global group with a wide and varied product range with impressive production depth. Our focus is on premium quality, new technologies, and innovative and functional design.
1918
Rudolf Wanzl Senior opens a locksmith's in Giebau (Sudetenland).
1947
New beginning after expulsion: Rudolf Wanzl Senior and Rudolf Wanzl Junior establish a workshop in Leipheim for scale manufacturing and repair service.
1948
Wanzl products are used in the first self-service pilot project in Augsburg.
1949
The “Production” consumer cooperative opens the first self-service shop in Hamburg. Wanzl supplies 40 shopping trolleys and 100 baskets.
1950
The first patent: the stackable shopping basket with hinged handle, the design of which remains virtually unchanged to this date. To date, there are only 20 self-service shops throughout Germany.
1951
The first “Concentra” shopping trolley with a fixed basket is patented. Wanzl now employs 50 staff and achieves a turnover of DM 750,000.
1954
The 200th self-service market in Germany opens its doors.
1955
Logo from the 1950s
1956
There are now 1,400 self-service shops, openings are increasing rapidly. By now, the 74 employees at Wanzl help to generate a turnover of DM 1 million.
1966
Wanzl now employs 400 staff and turnover has increased to over DM 16 million.
1970-1983
New branches are founded in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, France and Belgium.
1990
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the self-service concept spreads to the former East Germany and opens up new markets. In Leipheim, plant IV begins operation.
1991
Foundation of the Shop Solutions business division.
1991-1994
Branches are established in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Group turnover exceeds DM 300 million.
1995
The new Wanzl plant with administration and production is opened in the Czech Republic.
1998
The third generation takes over, with Gottfried Wanzl assuming management of the company after 10 years as Managing Director. Branches are established in China and Spain.
2000
Production of shopping trolleys begins in the leased Wanzl plant in Shanghai.
2001
The Airport + Security Solutions business division is founded. Branches are established in Italy, South Korea, Slovakia and Russia.
2002
The Logistics+Industry business division and the branch in Melbourne, Australia are founded.
2003
The Tango plastic shopping trolley is launched.
2005
Market launch with attractive long-term displays. The new Wanzl brand logo fuses modernity with timelessness.
2006
The Hotel Service business division is added. A branch is established in Ukraine.
2007
A separate Wanzl plant with administration and production is opened in China. The production areas in the Leipheim plants II and IV are expanded.
Wanzl plant in Shanghai
Wanzl plant II in Leipheim
Wanzl plant IV in Leipheim
2008
Opening of the branch in the United Arab Emirates.
2009
The Wanzl Creative Center is opened and a branch is founded in India. There is also an increase in "non-food" shopfitting, due to the integration of Unseld, a shopfitting firm with an efficient joiner workshop.
2011
In China, systems for electroplating and surface coating are brought into operation.
2012
Acquisition of the North American market leader in shopping trolley manufacture, Technibilt/Cari-All.
2014
The new electroplating system is launched in plant IV. The new sales centre and warehouse are opened in Austria.
2017
Takeover of Scandinavian shopfitting specialists Expedit. Expansion of production areas in the Hněvotín plant, Czech Republic
- Wanzl Commercial Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. No. 838 Shu Hai Rd 201611 Shanghai Phone: +86 21 6760 1558 E-mail: wanzl@wanzl.com.cn